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Q & A with Interior Designer Ariana Lovato of Honeycomb Home and Design

June 17, 2020

California based Interior Designer Ariana Lovato has made a big name for herself in the design community. As Owner and Principal of Honeycomb Home Design, she has always had a spark for design and all things creative. Recently named an NKBA 30 under 30 during this year’s KBIS she has a keen understanding of kitchen and bath design and brings a distinguished edge to interior spaces.

Ariana’s talents were on full display in a kitchen renovation that was selected as an honorable mention in Top Knobs’ inaugural Design Board Contest. This dreamy farmhouse kitchen was carefully crafted with love after a fire had destroyed the owner’s original home. We had the opportunity to delve into Ariana’s design decisions, creative inspirations and much more during a special Design Board Member Spotlight Q & A.

TK: Tell us about the kitchen and how it fulfilled your client’s plans for their home.

AL: This was a whole house re-build. We completely redesigned this home from the ground up due to a devastating house fire. My clients are elderly so I worked mostly with their daughter who lives in Houston, TX. We corresponded mostly via Zoom and email to make their decisions. We designed the single level home to accommodate their large family with a big open floor plan, a large kitchen island and butler’s pantry, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and a spacious master bath.

TK: Which Top Knobs hardware did you use for this project?

AL: I used the Ascendra pulls and knobs in Sable in the kitchen and also in Brushed Nickel in the Master Bath.

TK: Tell us what made you choose Top Knobs hardware for this design?

AL: We wanted a sturdy piece of hardware but did not want to compromise on style. I found the Ascendra collection and I fell in love! The Sable finish was the perfect contrast to the white cabinetry in the kitchen. We used the brushed nickel in the master bath against the stained wood cabinetry.

TK: Did you run into any challenges with this specific project?

AL: The plans that my client had drawn up by their previous architect yielded a much more craftsman style home. My client was wanting more of a modern farmhouse style, so we had to make some changes to the exterior and interior as we went. That was challenging, but I think we did a good job of incorporating the touches they were looking for.

TK: We’d love to know more about you and your design firm can you tell us more about your background?

AL: My name is Ariana Lovato, Owner and Principal Designer of Honeycomb Home Design. Honeycomb Home Design is a full-service Interior Design firm located in Pismo Beach, CA. I grew up on the coast and moved to Los Angeles to attend FIDM for Interior Design after high school. I moved back home upon graduating, earning a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of LaVerne, and worked for designers, builders and even in the tech world for a start-up company before branching out on my own in 2016.  I had been moonlighting for a couple years and had a small savings and a whole lot of determination. Design has always been a passion of mine and I love working with my clients and making them happy.  Our design aesthetic is based upon our client’s tastes, but we always try to streamline and modernize finishes to highlight architectural details. Now, we have a team of 3 designers and usually work on about 15-18 projects at one time.

TK: Where do you turn to for new ideas and inspiration?

From other designers. I also love Kelly Wearstler, Vanessa DeLeon and House of Bohn’s work.  I also find inspiration from travel. Earlier this year my trip to Malaga, Spain fueled my passion for handmade tiles!

TK: Which design trends are you most excited about in 2020?

AL: Terrazzo!! It is everywhere right now and I am not mad about it!

TK: What’s the best interior design lesson you have learned?

Pay attention to scale. It’s one of the fundamentals of design but it is so important especially when you are playing with patterns. Also, double-check your measurements. That was not a fun lesson to learn but it had to happen. From a business perspective, I would suggest to hire out the things you are NOT good at (i.e. bookkeeping), but I encourage everyone to know how to read a balance sheet and a profit and loss sheet so they can do their own check-ins.

View more of Ariana Lovato’s work here:

Website: www.honeycombhomedesign.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeycombhomedesign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeycomb_homedesign/ or https://www.instagram.com/ari.lovato_/

Photography provided by Ariana Lovato and Marcel Alain Photography

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Top Knobs Introduces the New Telfair and Hartridge Series of Knobs, Pulls and Appliance Pulls from the Ellis Collection

May 20, 2020

From kitchens and bathrooms to laundry rooms and home offices, Top Knobs decorative hardware continues to shape home design with a range of options to complete the look of any space. With hardware styles that include contemporary, mid-century modern, and vintage, in a range of finishes, shapes and sizes, Top Knobs offers knobs, pulls and appliance pulls to match nearly every style and decor.

Known for their extensive line of artfully crafted decorative hardware, Top Knobs expands their offerings even further with the introduction of the Telfair and Hartridge series of knobs, pulls and appliance pulls. As part of the new Ellis Collection, Telfair and Hartridge embody timeless design reimagined for today’s homeowners. Each new piece offers a modernized version of classical Georgian artistry, allowing designers and homeowners to exude hospitality through their interior designs.

Heavily influenced by the enchanting architecture found in the historic neighborhoods of Savannah, GA, Telfair and Hartridge bring a chic and elegant aesthetic to interiors. The rectangular shape and curved edges of the Telfair series are reminiscent of Savannah’s Federal styled homes while the smooth surface and rounded features of the Hartridge series emulate traits most notable in the Romanesque architecture found in Savannah.

Telfair Details:

  • Knob Size: 1 1/2” Knob
  • Pull Sizes: 12” cc, 8 13/16″ cc, 7 9/16” cc, 6 5/16”cc, 5 1/16” cc, 3 3/4” cc
  • Appliance Pull Sizes: 18” cc, 12”cc
  • Finishes: Ash Gray, Brushed Satin Nickel, Flat Black, Honey Bronze, Polished Chrome and Polished Nickel
  • MSRP: $10.25 – $175.0

 

Hartridge Details:

  • Knob Size: 1 1/4” Knob
  • Pull Sizes: 12” cc, 8 13/16″ cc, 7 9/16” cc, 6 5/16”cc,
  • 5 1/16” cc, 3 3/4” cc
  • Appliance Pull Sizes: 18” cc, 12”cc
  • Finishes: Ash Gray, Brushed Satin Nickel, Flat Black, Honey Bronze, Polished Chrome and Polished Nickel
  • MSRP: $9.20 – $158.40

 

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

 

Kitchen Cabinets and Decorative Hardware, a Perfect Pair

April 21, 2020

Kitchens have become one of the most significant rooms of the home when it comes to interior design. With so many components to consider, their versatility in function and style is a large part of what makes kitchen design so exciting!

There’s always a surprising number of decisions to make, and as the defining layer of a kitchen’s layout the cabinets you select might arguably be the most important. The options for style, size and color are just so abundant, and many kitchens need a carefully thought-out combination of cabinetry and decorative hardware to convey the perfect look.

Whether your interior taste leans more towards sleek and modern or you find yourself longing for a vintage farmhouse look, Top Knobs is here to help you find the perfect cabinet and hardware paring for your kitchen. Below, we highlight the most popular styles of cabinetry among today’s homeowners with complementing hardware that are sure to elevate your home.

Traditional

The most formal style of cabinetry, traditionally designed cabinets embody elegance and sophistication. The doors often feature raised panels with intricate woodwork. Traditional cabinets can be found in rich wood tones such as cherry, mahogany and chestnut.

Elaborate hardware in bronze and copper tones add a distinctive finishing touch to traditional cabinets. Detailed embellishments like those found on the knobs and pulls in our Somerset Collection, further enhance the finesse of traditional cabinets.

Shaker

Popular with today’s younger generation of homeowners, Shaker-style cabinets showcase a timeless design with a simple and clean look. These cabinets have a five-piece door with flat recessed panels and a thin frame and are available in just about any color.

Thanks to their versatile design, Shaker cabinets can be paired with a wide variety of hardware. For a classic look we suggest opting for simple hardware with a flat design in a subtle finish like our Brushed Satin Nickel or Polished Chrome. For a look with added interest, we suggest adding contrast to the cabinets with hardware featuring ornate details such as pieces from our Cobblestone Collection.

Contemporary

Featuring a streamlined overlay surface, flat doors and little to no details, Contemporary cabinetry lends to a modern, high-end kitchen design. While their details may be minimal Contemporary cabinets can be found in a bevy of vibrant hues to create a bold and glamorous look.

When selecting decorative hardware for contemporary cabinets, we suggest maintaining their sleek design with tab pulls from our  Europa Series or Minetta Series in on-trend finishes like Flat Black, Ash Gray or Honey Bronze.

Glass-Front

Meant to be paired with traditional styled solid cabinetry, glass-front cabinets are a great way to make a statement in the kitchen. Generally used as upper cabinets, they serve as a functional place to show off your personal style and display glassware, bowls, vases, cookbooks and more.

For this style of cabinetry, we love a matching look and recommend paring with hardware inspired by glass. The soft delicate details of our Emerald Crystal knobs or a selection from our Crystals Collection, complements the refined design present in glass-font cabinets.

Farmhouse

A modern take on traditional design, farmhouse cabinets feature charming characteristics with rustic influences. Often made from reclaimed materials such as shiplap and beadboard Farmhouse cabinetry are almost always painted white or a soft neutral shade and highlights the natural textures found in wood.

Farmhouse cabinets are best adorned with bold hardware that makes a statement. Hardware like the cup pulls from our Channing Series, knobs from our  Kingsbridge Series and pulls from our Arendal Series in finishes like Flat Black and Tuscan Bronze add to the allure of a vintage farmhouse design.

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest.

A Ponte Verde, Florida Kitchen Gets a Costal Makeover with the Help of Top Knobs

March 18, 2020

A true interior visionary, Donna Mancini, of Donna Mancini Interiors & Flooring, works meticulously to provide her clients with exceptional design solutions. From consultation to project execution, Mancini has a well-developed understanding and appreciation for beautiful and functional spaces, and the emotions they evoke.

“My background is quite varied with over 30 years of experience in real estate, business, retail sales management, and interior design. Everything I’ve learned over the years has enabled me to bring a unique perspective and skill set to our current business.”

In her latest project, Donna Mancini deployed her talents to update a dysfunctional kitchen for a Ponte Verde, Florida couple who have a strong love of entertaining and cooking for family and friends.

Mancini began the renovation by eliminating two prep islands that did not offer much usable surface space and prevented the kitchen from its full functional potential. After removing both islands, Mancini created one large island that provided more seating, ample surface space and additional storage for her client’s small appliances.

Along the perimeter of the kitchen, Mancini removed the microwave above the stove and opted for a new range hood. The microwave was moved into a much more accessible and convenient location in the lower cabinets. This small change allowed for the addition of upper-stacked cabinetry where the homeowners could showcase their collection of home décor items.

With a new floor plan in place, Donna Mancini began her work refreshing the aesthetic of the kitchen to tie in with the costal décor of the rest of her client’s home. She relied upon her expertise and knowledge of current design trends and new products to lighten up the kitchen’s color palette and brought in texture and warmth with Top Knobs Ascendra pulls in Honey Bronze.

“I’m loving the warm golds, bronzes, and champagnes that are back in a big way,” says Mancini. “We loved the style of the Ascendra pulls for this kitchen! The lines are soft but clean, and the base provided just enough substance while remaining classic and refined. The look we wanted to achieve was coastal-inspired transitional and we thought this choice was perfect.”

Paired with Gray Mist colored cabinets, the Honey Bronze finish added the perfect amount of sophistication for a design Mancini’s clients are now proud to show off to family and friends.

Thank you, Donna Mancini, for choosing Top Knobs and sharing your project with us! For more design inspiration from Donna Mancini Interiors & Flooring, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

How to Expertly Mix Metals in the Home

February 18, 2020

There are many tried and true rules for home décor that most abide, but one thing that isn’t so far fetched is the idea to mix and match metals where you reside.

Black, brass, chrome, nickel and bronze, with so many options to choose, picking the right metal for your home can be a difficult process. Rather than dwelling on the right metallic finish for your space, consider mixing them up! Designers and homeowners alike are opting for this contrasting trend to add interest and depth for a one-of-a-kind look.

 

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With over 37 different hardware and bath accessory finishes, Top Knobs has the perfect combination of metallics to complete the look of any space and style. Read on as we explore this popular trends and share tips to incorporate mixed metals in each room of the home.

For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place for gathering and entertaining, therefore thoughtful space planning is required to ensure a kitchen is both inviting and highly functional. When incorporating mixed metals in the kitchen, we recommend beginning with a neutral color pallet. The key to mixing metals in the kitchen is layering. To achieve this look, divide your space into horizontal or vertical sections and select a different metal for each area.

 

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The living room is where designers and homeowners become creative and let their personal style shine. We suggest a bold look by coordinating the contrasting metals with different accessories and elements in the same finishes to emphasize the daring look and draw attention to the design details.

 

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Mixing metals can be a fun experiment in the bedroom but it does require some planning and structure. Bedrooms are a place for relaxation and their design should never be overwhelming. We advise choosing a dominant metal for your furniture then introducing a second metal subtly through accessories and accent pieces. We recommend incorporating no more than two metals in the bedroom for a cohesive look.

 

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Bathrooms used to be a space reserved for chrome and nickel finishes. With brass and bronze leading the finish trend this year, the bathroom has become the ideal spot to harmonize warm and cool tones. This look requires a thoughtful balance that shifts away from the traditional matchy look. Try opting for a cool silver tone as the base for your plumbing and cabinetry hardware and pairing it with warm bronze accents and bath accessories for a style will co-exist.

 

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